Buckle



P. W. WHITE Oct. 29, 1940.

BUCKLE 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Sept. 19, 1938 P. W. WHITE Oct. 29, 1940.

BUCKLE Filed Sept. 19, 1938 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

Registered Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES FEB 24,942 2,219,537

BUCKLE Paul W. White, Waterbury, Conn, assignor to Parva Products Company, Chicago, 111., a cor poration of Delaware Application September 19, 1938, Serial o. 230,518

9 Claims.

This invention relates to buckles and has special reference to devices adapted to be mounted on straps, bands or the like, for the support of garments or other objects on: the

-39 person.

More particularly, this invention relates to a slide buckle comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation including co-operating cross bars for clamping a strap in adjusted positions therebetween upon a relative longitudinal movement of the frames, one of the co-operating cross bars having a cover of resilient material for engaging the strap,

Further, the present invention contemplates the securing of one end of a strap to a second cross bar of one of the frames, the strap passing behind the co-operating crossbar of that frame for attachment to an article to be supported or passing through a loop secured to an article to passing between the co-operating cross bars to be clamped in adjusted positions.

The device of the present invention may be adapted for use in various connections and. as a matter of fact the construction may be'l'em- 'ployed with slight variations not departing from the spirit of this invention universally where detachable connections are desired. Hereafter, and in the drawings, the device will be described and shown in its association with a strap for attachment to lingerie, for encircling the leg as a hose supporter, for use as a suspender, or'for detachable engagement with a button extending from garments of various characters. It is, 35 of course, to be understood that variousother uses may-be mentioned and this invention is not to be limited to any single specific use. I

The buckles contemplated herein are adapted for use with straps or like material varying mate'- 40 so constructed that it will successfully operate on straps varying substantially one hundred per cent in thickness and will not slip over the usual wearing conditions due to a positive wedge-like grip obtained between the frame members. The grip is preferably obtained automatically by the tension applied to the strap in its use as a suspender, garter or the like, and an adjustment .of the buckle on the strap maybe made with be supported with the free end of the straprially in thickness. Each buckle construction is 1 cover of resilient material between which and the other co-operating bar the strap is clamped. This resilient material may be in the form of a fabric, one of the most resilient fabrics, of course, being elastic of the ordinary suspender or garter type, and one of the lesser resilient fabrics being silk or ordinary tape. a

a When tension is applied to the strap, the 00- operating bars are wedged together and are held in that wedged condition by the continued tension of the strap, but upon release of the tension the resiliency of the strapseeks to return the cooperating bars to a position where the clamping action is not nearly so great. Thatis, the fabric is under compression during'the period of tension on the strap and when the tension is relieved the I compressed 'material seeks to return to a normal condition and tends to effect .a separation of the co-operating cross bars. Thus, when it is desired toadjust the position of the frames of the buckle with respect to the strap, the co-operating cross bars are notlocked to such a great extent that they are notreadily movable and an adjustment therefore may be obtained Very easily.

, In theusual form of construction, an ordinary strap is gripped or clamped between two metallic cross bars and after tension is applied to the strap to efiect a' clamping engagement between the frames on the strap {a subsequent adjustment is not readily obtained because littlefco-operation maybe had from the member clamped. The

locked' condition. is only relieved by manual movement'of the frames; In the present construction employing. an elastic or fabric strap, Such manual movement of the" frame members relative to eachother is not necessary since the frames are' automatically' relieved to such an extentthat, they maybe adjusted together along the strap. This condition is pronounced in the form, wherein a covering of resilient material is, disposedabout the cross bar and the resilient material engages one face of the strap, the other face. of the strap engaging the cross bar of the other frame. i p

The resilient material employed as a covering for the crossbar of oneof the frames may be a portion of .the strap which is threaded between the co-operating cross bars or it may be a separate fabric strip loo ed around one of the cross bars and attached directly to the garment to be supported. In the'flrst mentioned instance the strap may extend aroundthe cross bar of oneof the frames and directed between the co-operating cross bars from a looped portion of the strap to be clamped thereby, the loop being employed as a means for supporting a buckle attachment or other member secured to the garment to be supported, with the free end of the strap passing through a slot in the other of the frames and extending upwardly therefrom for encircling the leg of a user or passing over a shoulder of the user in whatever respect it is worn. In the second instance of use where a separate strip of fabric is employed to extend around one of the operating cross bars and for attachment to the garment to be supported, a strap extends from its position over the shoulders or about the leg through the slot of the other frame and between the co-operating cross bars with the free end hanging straight downwardly.

One embodiment of this invention consists in the provision of side bars and cross bars forming at least one slot in each of the frames with cooperating cross bars for clamping a strap inadjusted positions therebetween by a relative longitudinal movement of the frames, the other cross bar of one of the frames being employed for anchoring one end of the strap or a separate fabric piece. In this embodiment, the member secured to the cross bar passes behind the other cross bar or strapengaging bar so that the back of the buckle is entirely covered by fabric. In this manner no metal or hard substance is exposed to rub against the clothes in the instance of use as a suspender, or against the leg in the case of a hose supporter or mens garter.

When one end of the strap or when a separate piece of fabric is employed about the gripping bar of one of the frames that material cannot bunch or slide from one side to the other as is often the case when ribbon is wrapped about a bar. The ribbon or strap is held in place by the gripping bar which grips both the strap that is anchored through as well as the strap that passes therebetween. The strap in both instances is held smooth and tight.

In all instances the back of the strap hides the buckle from view with the exception of a thin margin on each side thereof. This is a distinct advantage in connection with lingerie, corselets, brassires and other dainty wear where every efiort is made to make the adjustment hardware as inconspicuous as possible.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a buckle of the character indicated above having relatively slidable frame members in which the strap threaded therethrough may be con veniently and easily adjusted in either direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide 7 a buckle having relatively slidable frame members as hereinabove pointed out in which a mini mum of the buckle is exposed to view and the back of the frames are covered by a portion of the strap.

A further object of this invention'is to provide a buckle having relatively slidable frame members of the type hereinabove described in which one of the co-operating cross bars clampingly engaging the strap is covered with a resilient material to prevent sliding or bunching of the strap on one side of the frame.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a buckle having relatively slidable frame members in which the construction may be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, may be durable, and may be simple in construction in threading and in manipulation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which latter- Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views illustrating the threading of the various forms of buckles embodying the features of this invention;

Fig, 6 is a front elevational view of the buckle embodiment shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings with a fragmentary portion of the strap threaded therethrough;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the co-operating buckle frames of Fig. 7, the frames being separated;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. '7 of the modified form of buckle construction shown in Fig. 2 embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the frame members of the buckle shown in Fig. 9, the frames being shown in a disassembled relation;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 9 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, incorporating the features of this invention;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the frame members of Fig. 11, the frames being shown in a disassembled relation;

Fig. 13 is a front elevational View of the modified form of buckle construction illustrated in Fig, 4 of the drawings, the buckle being shown as mounted on a fragment of a strap;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view taken on the line [4-14 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the frame members of Fig. 14, the members being shown in a disassembled relation;

Fig, 16 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 14 of the buckle shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, incorporating the features of this invention; and

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the frame members of Fig. 16, the members being shown in a disassembled condition.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8 thereof, the construction therein shown comprises a pair of frame members 20 and 2!, the frame member 20 being substantially rectangular and having side bars 22 and 23 connected by cross bars 24 and 25. The cross bar 24 extends preferably laterally out of the normal plane of the frame to receive the looped end of a strap 26 which is secured thereto preferably by stitching. The cross bar is provided with an inclined surface 21 extending in the opposite direction to the offset of the bar 24, the upper edge of the inclined surface having a notch 28 disposed substantially centrally thereof.

The frame 2! is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises spaced side bars 29 and 39) connected by cross bars 3|, 32 and 33 defining substantially rectangular slots 34 and 35. The side bars 29 and are preferably of channel-shaped cross section to receive in slidable engagement therewith the side bars 22 and 23 of the frame 20.

The cross bar 32 is provided with an inwardly directed projection 36 in the path of movement of the notch 28 of the inclined bar 21 for limiting the relative longitudinal movement of the frames in one direction. A strap 31 of fabric, elastic or other resilient material, is threaded-behind the bar 3| forwardly through the slot 34 over the bar 7 32 and rearwardly therefrom through the slot between the cross bar 33 and the inclined cross bar 21 with the free end hanging downwardly therefrom.

The frame members 20 and 2| when in an assembled condition co-operate to clamp the strap 31 in various adjusted positions. In Fig. '7 the strap is shown as being clampingly held between the co-operating cross bars 21 and 33, there being a tension on the strap 31 in the direction of the arrow A against the strap 26 supporting an object affording resistance in the direction of the arrow B for directing a relative longitudinal movement of the frame members in opposite directions. The frame 2| moves upwardly with the strap 31 and the frameZfl remains in a fixed'position relative to the article to be supported.

In the instance of Fig. 1, the looped strap 26 is secured to a slip 38 by means of the stitches 39. The frame having the cross bars 24 and 21 faces front with the free end of the strap 31 passing to the rear of the slip 38. The cross bar 3| is hidden from view by the strap 31 and the cross bars 24 and 21 are hidden from view by the fabric piece 26. The only part of the buckle that is exposed to View is the extending side edges 29 and 30 which, of course, is not particularly objectionable. The present embodiment of buckle may, however, be employed with straps in the manner illustrated in any of the other figures of the drawings,*it being considered not desirable nor essential to repeat various manners ofattaching straps-to articles.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2, 9 and 10, the construction therein shown comprises a pair of frame members 40 and 4!, the frame member 40 being substantially rectangular, 'having sidebars 42 and 43 connected by cross bars 44, 45 and 46 defining substantially rectangular slots Hand 48. The side bars 42 and 43 are preferably of channel-shaped cross section to act as guideways and the cross bar 45is split to' facilitate threading of a strap through the slots 41 and 48.

The frame 4| is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises sidebars 49 and 56 connected by a cross bar 5| which latter is inclined with respect to'theplane of :the' framesv and'thereby lies ina plane across the pathof movement of the cross bar 46 i'Of the frame 40. The 'side bars 49 and '56 are. received in the channel-shaped guides of the side bars: 42 and to direct a relative longitudinal movement of the frames 49 and 4|. v

The inclined cross bar or gripping bar 5|- of the frame 4| co-operates with the cross bar 46 of the frame 40 to clampingly'hold astrap '52 of fabric, elastic or other resilient materialytherebetween, the strap extending behind the cross bar 44 forwardly through the. slot 41 over the cross bar 45 and rearwardly therefrom through the slot 48 between the co-operating cross bars 46 and 5| with the free end extending below the frames. In this embodimentthe strap 52, after passing through the frames, is shown as being looped through an eyelet 53 andextends tobe wrapped around the gripping bar 5|, the free end 'of the strap being stitched as at 54 in a fixed relation with the gripping bar 5|. A looped strap 55, secured by means of stitches 56 to a slip or the like 51, likewise passes through the eyelet 53.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 9, it will be noted that the strap 52 is employed as a covering for the gripping bar 5| and engages another portion of the strap 52 when the gripping bar 5| co-operates with the cross bar 46 to clampingly hold the strap between the frame members as tension is applied'tothe strap by weight of the article to be supported. The strap 52 when employed for use as a suspender, supporter, garter or the like, is preferably of elastic, and when used in supporting lingerie, corselets, brassires and the like, is preferably of silk, tape or the like. In either instance, however, the material is more or less resilient and so long as tension is applied to the strap, a wedge-like grip is retained on the strap between the gripping bar 5| and the cooperating crossbar 46. However, upon release of tension the elastic material seeks to return to its normal condition and automatically overcomes the wedge-like grip so that the slidably engaged frames of the buckle can be readily adjusted.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3, 11 and 12, the buckle therein shown comprises a pair of frame members 58 and 59, the frame member 58 being of substantially rectangularshape and having side bars 60 and 6| connected byspaced cross bars 62 and 63 to define a substantially rectangular slot 64. The side bars 60 and 6| are preferably provided with integrally formed spaced ledges 60a and 6|a respectively to form channels to act as guides to receive in slidable engagement therewith the frame 59, as will hereinafter be more particularly described.

The frame 59 preferably comprises apair of side bars 65 and 66 connectedby a cross bar 61.

Theside bars 65 and 66 slidably engage the chan-' nel guideways of the side bars 6|] and=6| of the frame 58 so as to provide relative longitudinal movementbetween the frames 58 and 59.

" .The cross bar-62 of the frame 58 is preferably inclined with 'respectto the normal plane of the frame 58 as. determined by the channel-shaped guides of the sidebars 60and 6|; The cross bar 61 preferably lies in'the plane of the side bars 65 and 66, and the inclined cross bar62 extends in a plane across the path-of movement of the-cross bar 6'! as shown more particularly inv Figs. 3

and 11. i I v A strap 68 of fabric,'elastic or other resilient material, extends between-the inclined cross bar 62 and the crossbar 61 andthrough the slot over the cross bar 63, the free end being looped back-upon itself and passing around the cross bar 61 to be secured thereto by stitches v69. of the strap 68; as shown in Fig; 3, passes through the eye of a fastener'lll, the'fastener lo inturn beingdetachablyconnected on a stud'H secured to lingerie or the like 12. This connection with an article to be supported is merely illustrativezof one of the many forms of attachment to which the present buckle may be adapted.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 4, l3, l4 and 15, the buckle shown therein comprises a pair of slidably engaged frames 13 and '14 disposed in a face-to-face relation, the frame 13 being of substantiallyrectangular formationhaving spaced'cross bars l5, l6 and TI connecting side bars Y19 and 19 to form'substantially. rectangular slots 86 and.8|. The cross bars 15, 16 and -11 are formed preferably in an arcuate plane so from and extending" inwardly in a direction toward each other to provide guides or-channels The loop f-or directing relative longitudinal movement between the frames I3 and I4.

The frame I4 comprises side bars 84 and 85 connected together by means of a cross bar 86. The side bars 84 and 85 are guided by the flanges 82 and 83 to permit relative longitudinal movement between the frames I3 and I4, the frame-I4 having longitudinal movement in the normal plane of the frame. The cross bar TI, as above stated, is inclined with respect to the normal plane of the frame and a portion thereof lies in a plane across the path of movement of the cross bar 96 of the frame I4.

A strap 81 of fabric, elastic or other resilient material, is preferably threaded between the frames of the buckle with the free end hanging loosely therebelow, the strap passing behind the cross bar I3 and through the slot 80 in front of the cross bar '59 and thence through the opening 8| between the cross bars TI and 95.

The cross bar 86 co-operates with the cross bar 7'! to hold the strap 8'! in various positions of predetermined adjustment. In order to effect an efficient clamping action and yet to permit of the ready adjustment of the frames as a unit along the strap, thebar 86 is covered with a fabric covering as by means of the fabric strip 88, the ends of which are stitched as at 89 to a slip or the like 90 with the intermediate portion thereof looped about the bar 86. The strap 91 therefore is gripped between the inclined cross bar I1 and covering material 88 of the cross bar 89.

The buckle construction shown more particularly in Figs. 5, l6 and 17, comprises a pair of slidably engaged frames 9| and 92 disposed in a substantially face-to-face relation, the frame 9| being substantially rectangular in form and comprising side bars 93 and 94 connected together by spaced cross bars 95, 96 and 9'! forming sub stantially rectangular openings 98 and 99. The cross bars 95, 96 and 91 are preferably formed in an arcuate plane so that the cross bar 9! occupies an inclined position relative to the normal plane of the frame for purposes as will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out. The side bars 93 and 94 are provided with integrally formed flanges. I and IM spaced from the frame and extending in a direction inwardly toward each other to form guides or channels for directing relative longitudinal movements between the frames 9| and 92.

The frame 92 is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises side bars I02 and |03.connected by cross bars I04 and I05. The cross bar I04 is offset outwardly in a direction away from the frame 9| when in an assembled condition while the cross bar I extends in the plane of the frame. The lower edge I09 of the cross bar I05 is preferably inclined from the plane of the frame to substantially the same degree as the inclination of the cross bar 95 with respect to the plane of the frame.

When the frames 9| and 92 are in an assembled relation the cross bar 91 of the frame 9|, by reason of its inclined'relation to the plane of the frame, has a portion thereof lying in a plane in the path of movement of the cross bar I05, the cross bars 97 and I05 e c-operating to clamp a strap IO'I therebetween upon relative longitudi nal movement between the frames 9! and 92, the strap being of fabric, elastic or resilient material. The frames 9| and 92 are guided in their relative longitudinal movement by the side bars 502 and I03, the latter being received within the channels of the frame 9| behind the flanges I09 and IOI.

The strap I01 extends behind the cross bar 95 of theframe 9| outwardly through the slot 98 and in front of the cross bar 96 and thereafter through the opening 99 and between the cooperating cross bars 91 and I05. The strap, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5, thereafter passes from the frame to a looped portion, the free end extending around the offset bar I04 to which it is secured as by means of the stitches I08. The loop of the strap- I01 passes through an eyelet I09, the eyelet in turn receiving a fabric or other strip I I0 secured as by means of stitches to a slip orthe-like III. As in the previously described embodiments of this invention, a tension on the strap I91 operates the frames 9| and 92 in opposite directions to effect a clamping engagement between the cross bars 91 and I05. The strap I91, by reason of its passing behind the cross bar I05 and being secured about the cross bar I04, provides a fabric backing for the buckle so that no part of the buckle may come into contact with the means to which it is secured.

In the several embodiments of this invention shown and described, the strap threaded through the frames are clamped in adjusted position by co-operating cross bars of the frames automatioally upon a relative longitudinal movement of the frames induced by tension applied to the strap. In one teaching of the invention, the strap is clamped between the cO-ODl'ittiIlg cross bars, one of the cross bars being covered by a fabric material which may be a separate piece or the strap itself. In another teaching of this invention, the co-operating cross bars are not covered, the free end of the strap extending behind one of the co-operating cross bars for attachment to aseparate cross bar.

While several embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from-the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims. 1

I claim: I

1. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, including co'-operating cross bars on said frames for clamping a strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon a relative longitudinal movement of said frames, and a cover of resilient material for one of said co-operating cross bars for engagement with said strap, said cover and strap being clamped between said co-operating cross bars.

2. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, including co-operating cross bars on said frames for clamping a strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon a' relative longitudinal movement of said frames, and a cover of fabric for one of said co-operating cross bars for engagement with said strap, said cover and strap being clamped between said co-operating cross bars.

3. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, including co-operating cross bars on said frames for clamping a strap'threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon a relative longitudinal movement of said frames,v and a cover of elastic material for one of said con-operating cross bars for engagement with said strap, said coverand on the other frame upon a relative longitudinal a movement of said frames, and a strap enveloping 'across the path of movement of the other cooperating cross bar to clamp said strap in adjusted positions therebetween upon a relative longitudinal movement of saidframes, and a coverof resilient material for one of said co-operating cross bars for engagement with saidstrap, said cover and stnap being clampedbetween said cooperating cross bars.

5. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, one of said frames having spaced sidebars and spaced cross bars'connectingsaid side bars for defining an opening for receiving a'strap threaded therethrough, the other of said frames including across bar for co-o-perating with one of said cross bars on the other frame, one of said cooperating cross bars being inclined in a'plane across the path of movement of the'other cooperating cross bar to clamp said strap in adjusted positions therebetween upon a relative 1ongitudinal movement of said frames, and a fabric strip secured to an article to be supported and looped around one of said co-operating cross bars for engagement with said strap, said strip and strap being clamped between said co-operating cross bars.

6. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, one of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars defining an opening therethrough, the other of said frames including a crossbar co-operating with one of said cross bars one of said co-operating cross bars and extending therefrom into a loop portion and thereafter between said co-operating cross bars to be clamped thereby upon relative longitudinal movement of said frames.

7. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation,

one of saidframes having spacedside bars and spaced cross bars defining an opening therethrough,'the other of said frames includinga gripping bar co-operating with one of said cross bars on the other frame upon a relative longitudinal movement of said frames, and a strap having one end enveloping and being secured to said gripping bar and extending therefrom into a loop portion and thereafter between said gripping bar and said co-operating cross bar to be clamped thereby upon relative longitudinal movement of said frames, the free end of the strap passing through the opening in the frame.

8. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining slots, a cross bar on one of said frames being inclined in aplane across the path of movement of one of the cross bars of the other frame to cooperate therewith to clamp a strap threaded thereth'rough in various positions of adjustment,

and a fabric strip enveloping one of'the other cross bars of one of the frames and extending therefrom beyond the other cross bar of that frame for attachment with an article to be supported.

9. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably "engaged frames lying in a face-to-face relation,

one of said frames having spaced side bars and spaced crossbars connecting said side bars for defining a pair of openings to receive a strap threaded therethrough, the second of saidframes having spaced side" bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars, a cross bar of one of said frames being inclined in a plane across the path of movement of said frames for co-operation with a cross bar of the other of said frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon a relative longitudinal movement of said frames, said inclined cross bar having a notch for engaging a stop in a crossbar of the other of said frames to limit the relative movement of the frames in one direction and the co-operating cross bars limiting the relative movement of the frames in the other direction, one end of said strap being secured to thecross bar of the second frame and extending behind the co-operating cross bar of that frame to form a loop and therefrom between the co-operating PAUL W. WHITE. 

